Stabilizer for spring-supported bodies



Dec. 15, 1953 A. G. TALBERT STABILIZER FOR SPRING-SUFPORTED BODIES 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sept. 2, 1950 /60 INVENTOR. @5M ZZe/,

Dec. 1 5, 1953 A. G. TALBERT 2,562,780r

v STABILIZER FOR SPRING-SUPPORTED BODIES Filed sept. '2, 195o 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Dec. 15, 1953 STABILIZER FOR SPRING-SUPPORTED BODIES Austin G. Talbert, Lyons, Ill., assignor to Talbott Construction Equipment Company, Lyons, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application September 2, 1950, Serial No. 183,040

Claims. (Cl. 28o-104.5)

The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements and innovations in stabilizer mechanisms which can be used to temporarily lock out the springs, and provide a rigid connection between the bodies and chassis, oi heavy duty trucks and trailers.

Heretofore, several diiierent stabilizer mechanisms have been proposed for use on trucks for the purpose of rigidly locking the springsupported truck. bodies to the respective chassis. In so far as I am aware none of these previously proposed constructions have proven suiiiciently satisfactory to go into practical usage on a commercial scale.

The stabilizing or body locking mechanism of the present invention is particularly suited for application to heavy duty truck and semi-trailers of the type utilized for transporting heavy loads cross country. The invention is particularly suited for use in connection with heavy duty dump trailers and low-bed trailers.

Occasions arise frequently wherein there is a need to lool: or rigidly connect the springsupported bodies of dump trailers and low-bed trailers, directly to the chassis or Supporting wheel unit so as temporarily to cancel out the spring-support. For example, when the body of a dump trailer is raised or elevated for the purpose of discharging a heavy load therefrom, the body is in a relatively unstable condition because the center of gravity is located well above the' supporting chassis and the supporting springs allow the raised body to sway from side-to-side. rlhis condition is particularly hazardous when the dump trailer is located on uneven ground where one of the sides is higher than the other. Under such conditions only very little disturbance be required to cause the dump trailer to overturn. Ii' such a dump trailer were provided with the stabilizer or locking mechanism of the present invention the elevated body could be rigidly or directly connected with the chassis, thereby in eifect canceling out the spring suspension, and making the elevated body much more stable against overturning.

The stabilizer or locking mechanism serves important uses other than that of rigidifying or stabilizing a spring-supported body on the chassis so as to prevent overturning or undesired swaying. Another use is illustrated in connection with a low-bed trailer of the type used for transporting heavy equipment, such as power shovels, and earth movers, cross country. The platforms of these low-bed trailers are purposely built low with a minimum or road clearance. There are instances in which an additional inch or so of ground clearance will permit the low-bed trailer to be transported across places where it could not otherwise be moved. For example, a railroad crossing having unusually steep approaches may prevent a loaded low-bed trailer from following a certain highway route because the bottom ci he trailer platform will become hung up as it passes over the crossing. ln many instances only an inch or so of additional clearance would be sufficient to permit the trailer to pass. A similar situation is sometimes encountered with stretches of road or highway which have an unusually high crown in the center.

The body stabilizer or locking mechanisms of the present invention can be used in connection with a low-bed trailer so as to lock and. support the body in a raised position thereby providing the necessary additional ground clearance. In order to obtain this additional clearance the body of the low-bed trailer is jacked-up either loaded or empty, until the desired increase in height is obtained and then the stabilizing mechanism is locked.

Still another function of the stabilizer mechanism of the present invention is that of securing additional top clearance for high loads so that they will be able to pass under viaducts and bridges which could not otherwise` be negotiated because of insuiiicient clearance. For example, if an additional inch or two of top vclearance is required it may be practical to overload the vehicle until the body has been depressed the desired amount and then the locking mechanism is used to hold the body in the depressed position after the overload has been removed.

It will be understood that the trailers and trucks equipped with the locking or stabilizing mechanisms of the present invention are of the conventional type and the locking mechanisms are employed only temporarily as a need arises. Normally the truck or trailer bodies are springsuspended in the usual'manner. The mechanisms of the present invention will be used only when it is necessary or desirable to connect the spring-supported bodies rigidly to the frame or chassis so as to cancel out the flexible spring connection by which the bodies are normally supported. However, while the body stabilizer or locking mechanisms are normally only employed when the occasion arises, the frequency with which it is necessary to use this rtype of device is sufficiently often so that they will lill a very important need in connection with heavy duty type trucks and trailers. t

The object of the present invention is a locking or stabilizer' mechanism for a truck or trailer body which is spring-supported from a chassis, which mechanism is characterized by: its siniplicity; ruggedness; low cost; ease of installation on conventional type vehicles; maximum effective locking or clamping area; ability to accommodate relative movement between a body and a chassis without damage when the mechanism is released with the supporting springs being compressed; and, freedom from play or vibration at all times.

Certain other objects of the invention will, in part, be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of the invention reference may now be had to the following detailed Adescription thereof taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a heavy duty type dump trailer equipped with a stabilizer or spring lock mechanism forming one embodiment of the invention, certain parts being shown diagrammatically and the dump body being shown in the raised position in broken line;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view on enlarged scale, showing the stabilizer mechanism of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional View taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view on enlarged scale showing the clamping jaws of Fig. 3 in the open position;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the hydraulic system provided on the dump trailer of Fig. 1 for elevating the dump body and incorporating therein the hydraulic cylinders for operating the stabilizer mechanisms on the opposite sides of the trailer body;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sidev elevational view corresponding to Fig. 2 showing a modied form of vehicle body stabilizer or locking mechanism.;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the modication as shown in Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional View taken on line 9 9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a view corresponding to Fig. 9, but with the clamping jaws shown in the open or unlocked position; and

Fig. 11 is a view corresponding to Fig. 3 but showing the stabilizer mechanism on the opposite side of the vehicle.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings, the dump trailer is indicated generally at 5 and comprises a body 6 having a dump box 1 which is elevatable by a pair of hydraulic hoists 8 8. The dump body 6 is supported on opposite sides by sets of leaf springs III-Ie from a chassis which is indicated generally at I I. The manner in which the dump body 6 is carried on the springs In and the latter are supported from the chassis as shown in greater detail in Fig. 2.

The chassis or tandem unit II is of the type which has an equalizing beam l2 on each side pivotally mounted at the center upon a main axle I3. Bearing xtures I4-I4 pivotally mounted on opposite ends of the equalizing beams I2 support the axles |5-I5 which carry the wheels IIi-IS. Chassis of this type are known and the details thereof do not form a part of the present invention.

A saddle I1 is pivotally mounted on opposite ends of main axle I3 over the center of each equalizing beam I2. Each of the sets of springs I0 is supported on the top of one of the saddles I1 and is secured thereto by means of the shackle bolts I8-I8. The front end or each spring unit l0 is pivotally fastened to the underside o the dump body 6 by means of a ixture 2S while the rear end of the spring unit is fastened to the underside by means of a fixture 2i. It will be understood that the structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is duplicated on the opposite side of the dump trailer 5. The spring suspension arrangement shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is typical and illustrative of those commonly in use for supporting trucks and trailer bodies from chassis units.

The stabilizer or spring lock-up mechanism shown in Figs. 1 4 includes a connecting rod 22 of square cross section adjacent the upper end, and the bottom end of which is secured to the saddle I1 by means of a universal joint so that the connecting rod is free to swing in all directions. The universal joint includes a segment 23 pivotally mounted adjacent its betteln end between spaced upstanding ears 24-24 by means of a connecting pin 25. The ears 24 maybe welded or otherwise secured to the saddle I1 when this element is not originally provided with them. The universal joint member 23 is free to swing in a vertical plane toward and away from the dump body 6 and the bottom end of the connecting rod 22 is pivotally attached to the upper end of the element 23 by means of a pin 26 whereby the connecting rod 22 is also swingable in a vertical plane which extends parallel to the side of the dump body 6.

Adjacent its upper end the connecting rod 22 extends between a set or pair of clamping jaws consisting of a stationary clamping jaw 2'? and a movable clamping jaw 23. The stationary clamping jaw 21 is secured on the side of the dump body 6 by means of a bracket 3) which may be either bolted or welded thereto. The movable clamping jaw 2B is carried on the shorter arm of a bell crank lever 3l which is pivotally connected on the side of the dump body 5 by means of a bolt 32 which extends downwardly through top and bottom ears 33 and 34 and through a registering hole provided therefor in the bell crank lever Si. The ears 33 and 34 may be individually welded to the sides of the dump body 6 or they may form part of a single bracket which is itself welded or bolted to the dump body.

The clamping faces of the jaws 21 and 28 are V-shaped with the angle between the sides being preferably so as to conform to the shape of the connecting rod 22. Each of the faces of the clamping jaws 21 and 28 are lined with a suitable material having a high coeicient friction, such as brake lining. These linings are indicated in Figs. 3 and 4 at 35 and 3E, respectively. The eiiectiveness of the clamping action can be increased by also providing the outside of the connecting rod 22 adjacent its upper end with brake lining so that when the clamping jaws are closed together the brake lining will be pressed against brake lining.

Referring to Figs. 3 and l1, it will be seen that the free end of the longer arm of each of the bell cranks 3I is pivotally connected by means of a pin 31 to the outer end of the adjacent piston rod 38 of a hydraulic cylinder unit 40, of known type. The cylinders 40 are supplied with hydraulic fluid under pressure, such as oil, from the pressure line 4I. The cylinder units 40 for operating the stabilizer mechanisms on opposite sides of side members of the dump body frame B andthe piston rods 35i will extend through openings liz' provided therefor in the frame.

It is advantageous to have the stabilizer unitk of the present invention operated in synchronism with the hoists 8 so thatl the stabilizer will be automatically locked whenever the dump box i is raised, and will automatically be released when it is lowered. One practical arrangement whereby this synchronous operation may be obtained is illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 5. A master hydraulic cylinder is designated at 43, which may in practice be supp-lied with hydraulic fluid under pressure, such as oil, from a pump which is driven by the motor of the truck or tractor unit. Two pressure lines #i4-44 are served by the master cylinder 43. Each of the pressure lines ddl serves one of the hydraulic cylin-v 27. When the pressure on the hoists 8 is released so that the dump box I may fall, the pressure is also released on the cylinders 4t so that the stabilizers are unlocked.

When a load is discharged from the raised dump body 'l this body would normally rise a distance corresponding to the amount which the supporting springs iii have been depressed by the load. Since the dump body is locked rigidly or directly to the chassis unit by the stabilizers during the unloading of the dump box 's' the body cannot rise, and there will be a tendency for the dump body 6 to spring up as the stabilizer' mechanisms are released. The smooth surface of the bralze lining elements 35 and permit relative movement between the clamping jaws 2'! and 23 and the connecting rod 22 so that the body may spring up when the clamping jaws are opened.

In order to obtain the greatest amount of clamping or locking action, the friction engaging areas of the connecting rod and the faces of the clamping jaws 2'! and 28 are arranged so that when the jaws are closed the clamping area extends at least about two-thirds of the way around the connecting rod 22. This arrangement also provides the additional feature that the clamping jaws, when open or separated, provide a guideway for the upper end of the connecting rod 22 so4 that it is maintained in between the clamping jaws at all times. However, if the connecting rods were not further secured, they would be free to shake and vibrate in between the faces of the respective clamping jaws 2'! and 23 when the movable clamping jaws 28 are retracted, as shown, for example, in Fig. 4. Such play and vibration would be objectionable and it is overcome by employing a tension spring 45 which serves to hold the connecting rod 22 in contact with the clamping face of the jaw 23 at all times. The upper end of the tension spring 45 is hooked to a projection 4G which extends outwardly from 'the universal joint element 23 while the lower end of the spring 45 .is connected to a lug l? on the saddle il. The tension springs i5 serve to hold the connecting rods 22 away from the sides of the dumpl body 6 and against the clamping faces of the movable' clamping jaws 28 at all times, as shown in Fig. 4.

In Figs. 6 through 10 a modification yof the stabilizer mechanism is shown which may be employed when there is little or no tendency for the spring-supported body to snap into a different position when the stabilizer mechanism is released. For example, the modification shown in Figs. 6 through 10 may be used to advantage on a low-bed semi-trailer of the type used for transporting heavy machinery and equipment.

In general, the modification shown in Figs. 6 through 10 has a construction which corresponds to that of the embodiment shown and described in connection with Figs. 1 through 5. Thus, the equalizing beams of the chassis unit are indicated at 50 and they support a main axle 5i. The saddle xtures are indicated at 52 and the leaf spring units are indicated generally at 53. The side frame member of the trailer body is indicated at 54, and the opposite ends of the spring units 50 are attached to the underside thereof by means of two sets of fixtures 55 and 5S. Each connecting rod 5l is cylindrical in cross section and the upper end thereof is externally threaded as indicated. The bottom end of each connecting rod 5'! is supported from a pair of spaced upstanding ears 58-58 by means of a universal type joint which includes an element @il pivoted in between the upper ends of the ears 58 by means of the pin iii. The bottom end of each connecting rod 57 is pivotally connected to the upper end of the respective element 6B by means of the pin 62. carries a projection 63 (Fig. '7) which is provided with an eye at the outer end through which one end of a tension spring 64 may be connected while the other end is connected with a lug E55 carried by the saddle 52. Each spring 64 maintains the upper end of one of the connecting rods 5! at all times in contact with the concave space of the movable clamping jaw 55 on that side ci the trailer. The concave surface of each movable jaw 65 is smooth so that relative movement between it and the threaded end of the connecting' rod ii! is allowed. The stationary clamping jaw on each side of the body is indicated at 6! and it has a concave face which is provided with threads 58 (Fig. 10) which are adapted to inter mesh with the threads on the upper end of the connecting rod 5'.' so as to maintain a maximum degree of interengagement. Each movable clamping jaw BS is carried on the shorter arm 7B of a bell crank '!I pivoted for movement in a horizontal plane by means of a bolt 'l2 which projects downwardly through a pair of spaced apart ears i3-13 between which the bell crank i is supported.

When force is applied to the free end of each bell crank lever 'H so as to push the movable clamping jaw 63 inwardly toward the stationary clamping jaw 51, the connecting rod 5'! thereI between is forced against the concave clamping face or area of the adjacent stationary clamping jaw 6'! so that the threads on the rod and clamping jaw 6'! intermesh and positively lock the connecting rod against relative movement. This arrangement permits a somewhat smaller force to be used to interlock the body to the chassis. However, if there is any tendency for the springsupported body to snap to a free position when the stabilizer mechanism is released, the shifting of the stationary clamping jaw relative to the threads on the connecting rod 5l will soon cause the interengaging threads to be stripped,

In addition to the modications shown and Each universal joint element 66 described, those skilled in the art will, in view of the disclosure, be able to make other modications and changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having fully described the invention and set forth preferred embodiments thereof, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a vehicle of the class described having a body which is spring-supported from a chassis, the combination of rigid connecting rods on opposite sides o said vehicle, means pivotally connecting the bottom end of each connecting rod to said chassis so that said rod is swingable toward and away from said body in a vertical plane, a stationary clamping janT mounted on each side of said body and located directly opposite the upper end of the adjacent connecting rod, a movable clamping jaw for each of said stationary jaws, means for pivotally mounting each of said movable clamping jaws on one side of said body so that it is swingable in a horizontal plane toward and away from its associated stationary jaw with the upper end of said connecting rod in between, and spring means attached to each of said connecting rods so as to urge the upper end thereof away from ie adjacent stationary jaw and against said movable jaw, each oi said connecting rods being slidable up and down against the faces of said respective movable clamp jaws when the latter are open and each rod being clamped against up and down movement between said movable and stationary jaws when the movable jaws are closed.

2. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein each of said spring means for holding each of said connecting rods against the adjacent movable clamping jaw consists of a coil tension spring one end of which is connected to said connecting rod and the other end of said spring being fastened to said chassis.

3. The combination called for in claim l wherein each of said clamping faces of said movable and stationary clamping jaws is provided by brake lining.

4. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein the upper end o each of said connecting rods has external threads and the clamping face of each of said stationary jaw has complementary threads therein.

5. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein each of said stationary and movable clamping jaws has a generally V -shaped clamping face, and the opposite sides of the upper ends of said connecting rods have V-shapes which complement those of said clamping jaw faces.

6. The combination called for in claim l wherein when each pair of said stationary and movable clamping jaws are closed on the upper end of a connecting rod, the combined clamping areas extend over two-thirds around the circumference or" said connecting rod.

7. In a vehicle of the class described, in combination, a chassis having trailing pairs of wheels on opposite sides interconnected by equalizing beams which at their mid-points support the opposite ends of a main axle, a saddle pivotally mounted on each end of said main axle and straddling the middle of the adjacent equalizing beam, a set of leaf springs mounted on each of said saddles and extending parallel to the length of said vehicle, a body supported on said sets of springs, means fastening said body to said springs, and a stabilizer mechanism on each side of said body comprising, a connecting rod, universal joint means for pivotally connecting the bottom end of said connecting rod onto one of said saddles whereby the upper end of said rod is swingable in all directions, a stationary clamping jaw mounted on the adjacent side of said body and directly over said saddle, a movable clamping jaw, and means for pivotally mounting.,r said movable clamping jaw on the side of said body so that it is swingable in a horizontal plane toward and away from said stationary clamping jaw with the upper end of the adjacent connecting rod located in between.

8. The structure called for in claim 7 wherein said stabilizer mechanism also comprises a tension spring one end of which is attached to the bottom end of said connecting rod and the other end of which is fastened to said saddle so as to hold and maintain the upper end of the connecting rod in contact against said movable clamping jaw.

9. The structure called for in claim 7 wherein a pair of spaced ears project above each of said saddles and one element of each of said universal joint means is pivotally connected to the adjacent pair of said spaced ears.

10. In a vehicle of the class described having a body assembly which is spring mounted on a chassis assembly, stabilizer means for locking said body assembly to said chassis assembly, comprising, a stationary clamping jaw mounted on one of said assemblies, a rigid connecting rod, means pivotally connecting one end of said rod to the other one of said assemblies so that the free end of the rod is swingable against said clamping jaw, a movable clamping jaw for clamping said free end of the connecting rod against said stationary jaw, means for pivotally mounting said movable jaw, and power applying means operatively connected with said movable jaw for forcing it toward said stationary jaw with said free end of said connecting rod being clamped therebetween.

AUSTIN G. TALBER References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 850,460 Battershall Apr. 16. 1907 1,975,119 Oates Oct. 2, 1934 2,020,489 Walker et al Nov. 12, 1935 2,400,803 Barnhart May 21, 1946 

